Since the invention of the basic light bulb in the late 1800s, our reliance on electricity has grown significantly. It’s one of the most sought-after trades because most homes and businesses require it.

In the electrical sector, electrical engineers and electricians are employed; however, people occasionally use the titles interchangeably. All of their responsibilities, from everyday work to instruction and training, are genuinely very different from one another.

In this article, we’ll examine electrical engineering vs electrician, After contrasting electricians and electrical experts, take into account your additional options:

Electrician

  • Connects residential and commercial electrical networks.
  • Joins power sources to electrical infrastructure.
  • Maintain the electrical machinery used in large industrial processes in good operating order.
  • Inspects and corrects existing wiring.

Briefly put electrician engineering’s  Installing and maintaining electrical systems is an electrician’s principal responsibility. They can be trained to do this in commercial, industrial, and domestic settings, among others.

Maintenance of electrical systems includes both minor and major repairs as well as required testing to ensure every component of the system the electrician constructed is functioning as it should.

Electrical engineer

  • Uses computer software to produce designs for new products, with a range of
  • Everything from massive power plants to small home appliances.
  • Supervises the manufacturing of goods.
  • Examine the things to ensure they are operating as intended.
  • Supervises and cares for electrical products and services.
  • A bunch of artists are seated, munching on their lunch, beaming.

To put it simply, electrical engineers’ daily tasks include both designing and building new electrical systems to keep up with the quickly advancing technology environment and resolving serious issues arising from electrical testing.

Larger-scale projects that use electrical engineers can span large amounts of land or industry, such as those in the transportation, power production, and telecommunications sectors.

2. Examining an electrician’s life

This is a summary of what electrical engineers and electricians do on a daily basis, where they usually work, and how many hours they work.

What, therefore, is different?

In other words, electrical engineers design and develop new and improved electronic equipment, which electricians install in or on homes, businesses, and other vital infrastructure.

Because technology is used so much in today’s environment, electrical engineers and electricians work together to maintain the forefront of installation and innovation.

How long does it take to become an electrical engineer as opposed to an electrician?

Depending on whether one decides to pursue an apprenticeship, which takes a bit longer, or a mix of degrees and technical certifications, which typically take two to three years, being a fully certified electrician in the UK appears to take between two and four years on average.

Becoming an electrical engineer takes a little longer because the work is seen to be more sophisticated, but it also offers more training options. Among these options is enrolling in classes at a college or university. Applying for an apprenticeship, which is comparable to becoming an electrician, is an additional option.

An apprenticeship can run anywhere from four to six years, while an electrical engineering full-time university program typically lasts three years (four + a placement year).

Electrical Training

What is the salary difference between an electrician and an electrical engineer?

According to the National Careers Service, entry-level electrical engineers may make up to £20,000 a year, with the starting salary for an electrician in the UK being approximately £18,000.

The major distinctions between these two occupations are in their earning potential, even though their starting salaries don’t seem to be that different. An expert electrician may make up to £42,000 per year, and more experienced engineers may make up to £60,000, according to the National Careers Service.

Most, if not all, electrical work requires being on call, which is why many companies charge extra during this time. This could bring the average up a little bit.

Although both electricians and electrical engineers are essential to the electrical industry as a whole, their daily responsibilities and routes to success are very different. We have a large selection of products for various electrical industry applications, such as management, cables, and consumer units, so you can acquire everything you require in one place.

What Procedures Must One Follow to Become an Electrical Engineer?

After receiving your high school diploma or GED, you must apply to four-year programs in electrical engineering. Check if your program has been recognized by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or another similar certifying body.

You will study advanced mathematics, electrical circuits, electrical goods, digital systems, power distribution networks, industrial automation, control systems, and more during your bachelor’s degree program. As part of your studies, you’ll complete lab work, lectures in the classroom, and practical internships. Following the completion of the required credit hours, you can apply for entry-level engineering positions and earn your degree.

Alternatively, after finishing an associate’s program in high school, you can pursue further education with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology.

Qualifications for Professionals and Licensure

To become engineers-in-training, electrical engineers must first pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam after earning their bachelor’s degree. After four years of work experience, you can apply for the Professional Engineer test, which will fully qualify you to follow any job. If you’re interested in teaching or research, a master’s degree in electrical engineering will help you go further.

In contrast, after completing your apprenticeship, you typically need to pass a certification exam in order to become a certified journeyman or electrician. The National Electrical Contractors Association’s certification exam is recognized in most states. Among the subjects that electricians must address are building codes, the National Electrical Code, and safe electrical equipment and cable installation.

Once you have two years of journeyman experience under your belt, you can apply for the master electrician qualification. With the master electrician credential, you can advance to more senior roles in your sector. Following that, you are able to manage teams of apprentices and junior electricians, obtain permits, and begin hiring apprentices.

Qualifications for Professionals and Licenses

Are the salaries of electrical engineers higher than those of electricians?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) stated in May 2020 that the median annual salary for electricians was $56,900, or roughly $27.36 per hour. In the business, the highest paid 10% of electricians took home over $98,720 annually. During the same time period, the average yearly salary for electrical engineers was $105,990.

Employment Opportunities

The BLS projects that between 2020 and 2030, the number of electricians employed will increase by 9% annually, creating 66,100 new jobs. Similarly, there will be 12,700 additional postings, or a 7% rise in the number of electrical engineers employed.

Proficiency

The specializations of electricians include highway electrical system repair, machine repair, domestic installation, instrumentation, and maintenance. To advance in their careers, electricians can pursue further certifications in fields including lighting systems, power production, solar photovoltaics, and electrical equipment repair.

Engineering specialists can also enroll in advanced certificate programs in coding, embedded systems, computer design software, radio and communication devices, non-renewable systems, energy management, etc. to work in certain industries.